Author: Emil Lazarian

 16:44,

YEREVAN, MRCH 24, ARMENPRESS. Aircompany Armenia cancelled NGT936/935 Moscow-Yerevan-Moscow flights from March 24 to April 15 due to the European and American restrictions, the company’s deputy director Gevorg Khachatryan said on social media.

“NGT930/929 Yerevan-Moscow-Yerevan flights will be operated in accordance with the schedule. Negotiations and works are underway at the moment for finding alternative solutions. The additional information will be updated regularly. Thank you for your understanding”, he said.

 17:28,

YEREVAN, 24 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 24 March, USD exchange rate up by 0.66 drams to 489.81 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.04 drams to 538.20 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.37 drams to 5.14 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.21 drams to 646.40 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 300.48 drams to 30420.73 drams. Silver price down by 0.57 drams to 393.93 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.

 19:01,

YEREVAN, 24 MARCH, ARMENPERSS. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova called on not to escalate the already tense situation in Nagorno Karabakh during a briefing. ARMENPRESS reports in response to the question on the cessation of gas supply to Artsakh, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry called on both sides to resolve the issue of resumption of supplies as soon as possible.

“Relevant work is being done by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Energy and Gazprom so that the population does not suffer,” Zakharova said.

 15:56,

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. (Ucom Press Release) Ucom has provided technical assistance to the staff of Shengavit administrative district of Yerevan, thanks to which the relevant department of the administrative district will be able to detect environmental issues more quickly with the surveillance cameras installed at 20 addresses. This, in turn, will allow to respond faster to problems and prevent possible violations. 

“Today, it is difficult to imagine any field where telecommunication infrastructures are not a basis for innovative solutions, and for setting new benchmarks in the quality of work. With the active support of operators, we can plan and design smart cities, by engaging specialists from many fields”, said Ara Khachatryan, Director General at Ucom. 

“We are glad that Ucom expressed readiness to act as a technical supporter of our initiative. We are full of hope that as a result of this cooperation, a number of urgent problems of our administrative district will be solved more substantially”, noted Razmik Mkrtchyan, the head of Shengavit administrative district. 

During current year the staff of Shengavit administrative district plans to increase the number of existing cameras.

 16:02,

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan received Executive Director of the My Step charitable foundation Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, the Presidential Office said.

Mr. Hayrapetyan introduced the President on the ongoing and future programs of the foundation. Particularly, the foundation’s activity in education, science and new technologies was presented.

The engagement of the Diaspora-Armenians into the foundation’s projects was emphasized. 

The President of the Republic expressed readiness to assist the foundation’s programs, highlighting the implementation of qualitative educational projects.

‘Urgent steps needed to avoid further humanitarian crisis’ – Human Rights Watch representative on situation in Artsakh

 16:36,

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. Associate director at Europe and Central Asia Division of the Human Rights Watch, Giorgi Gogia, has expressed concerns about the current humanitarian situation in Artsakh. 

“For 2nd time in 2 weeks, Nagorno-Karabakh residents are left without heating in freezing temperatures because of a gas pipeline running through Azerbaijan-controlled territory. Many bakeries are also unable to operate causing an acute shortage of bread”, he said on Twitter. “The gas cut also affects educational institutions, including kindergartens and schools. They remain closed as they cannot be heated. Urgent steps are needed to avoid further humanitarian crisis”, he added.

 17:31,

YEREVAN, 23 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 23 March, USD exchange rate up by 0.29 drams to 489.15 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.22 drams to 538.16 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.09 drams to 4.77 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.68 drams to 646.61 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 293.34 drams to 30120.25 drams. Silver price up by 1.02 drams to 394.50 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.

 18:22,

YEREVAN, 23 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. President Vahagn Khachaturyan today had a meeting with UK Ambassador to Armenia John Gallagher.
Ambassador Gallagher congratulated President Khachaturyan on the occasion of assuming the position and wished success.
At the meeting the sides exchanged views about the Armenian-British bilateral relations, regional security issues.